Coyotes, honeybees and a “pole gardener”

Coyotes have been moving into a San Jose community, alarming the neighbors who are unused to sharing their habitat. The coyotes have reportedly killed domestic cats and have been howling in front yards. [San Jose Mercury News]

Young ranchers are returning to farms in West Marin after finishing college. They’re looking to get their hands dirty but are also shrewd business people, paying attention to niche markets for organic and locally produced. [Marin Independent Journal]

The Simmons Slough watershed in Novato is getting a $150,000 upgrade to make it better habitat for wetlands species. The Marin Audubon Society is expanding areas where water pools into ponds to provide better wetland habitat for dozens of species of migratory birds. [Marin Independent Journal]

A mysterious “pole gardener” in the Richmond district of San Francisco has been busily attaching wooden planters to parking meters and poles, presumably in an effort to spruce up the city. The person hasn’t revealed him or herself yet, but released this statement on the Richmond SF Blog: “I’m glad you like the gardens, I’m the person putting them up. I would invite all of you to maintain/adopt them as you see fit.” [Richmond SF Blog]

The Center for Biological Diversity is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit plastic pollution under the Clean Water Act. The organization’s petition calls for a limit of visible plastic pollution in oceans to zero and strict limits on small plastic items in oceans and beaches. [Summit County Voice]

A San Francisco man is harvesting 500 pounds of honey this year by capturing “feral bees” and giving them a home at the hives on his rooftop, just outside Golden Gate Park. He then sells the honey to local stores — and apparently during the fall eucalyptus bloom, it tastes a smidgeon like eucalyptus. [Richmond Blog].